U.S. Robotics Ships New x2 Products That Give Small To
Medium Sized Internet Service Providers And Corporate
Offices Lowest Priced 56 Kbps Technology
Implementation
SKOKIE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 22, 1997--
NETServer Remote Access Servers and MP Modem Pools Are the Only
Products to Offer Low Cost of Entry Into 56 Kbps Market
Worldwide remote access leader U.S. Robotics (NASDAQ:USRX) today announced it is now
shipping its x2(TM) (56 Kbps) Technology with all MP 8/16 I-modems (modem pools) and
NETServer 8/16 I-modem remote access servers. All NETServer I-modem and MP I-modem
products now shipping can accept x2 calls, as well as standard analog and ISDN calls. The new
products give small and medium-sized Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and corporations the lowest
cost of entry for offering 56 Kbps technology access to their users.
x2 is U.S. Robotics' breakthrough 56 Kbps technology that provides Internet and on-line
connections at speeds nearly twice as fast as standard V.34 modems. x2 can be added to all existing
U.S. Robotics I-modem remote access servers and modem pools with a simple software upgrade, a
technology advantage that no other company can offer its customers. The x2 software upgrade for
these products has been available since March.
"We upgraded each of our existing NETServer/16 I-modems within twenty minutes and were
achieving x2 speeds minutes after. It was a painless process," said Matt Krichbaum, IS Manager for
Rural Connections, a national ISP based in Minnesota. "The download speeds were noticeably
improved, and we're very impressed."
"For an ISP facing increased competition, particularly with the advent of 56 Kbps technologies, x2
and its availability now are key differentiators," said Larry Kraft, manager, product marketing, U.S.
Robotics. "Many ISPs are on tight operating budgets, so we believe it's important to offer them x2
products at a low entry price. Also, it's a very simple choice for customers: they don't have to wait
for the technology, because U.S. Robotics offers x2 today. And, we ensure a upgrade path to
eventual 56 Kbps standards. These low-cost, easy-to-implement solutions will help keep ISPs
competitive and protect their technology investment over time."
Users Have a Choice Between Complete Remote Access or a
Front-End Solution
U.S. Robotics offers customers a choice of either a complete remote access solution in a box or a
front-end modem pool to x2-enable an existing remote access server. The NETServer I-modem
products are complete, cost-effective remote access solutions in one box, ideal for an ISP starting
new service or expanding current service. U.S. Robotics' MP I-modems can be used to x2-enable
existing remote access servers, allowing an ISP to use its existing equipment infrastructure to now
offer service at nearly twice the speed.
Cost-Effective Alternative to T-1 or PRI Provisioning
Both the NETServer I-modem and MP I-modem products connect to an ISDN BRI line. In some
areas of the country, or for a smaller ISP or company, BRI lines can be a much more cost-effective
option than T-1 or PRI lines. For x2 and other 56 Kbps technologies, the remote access server
must be digitally connected, unlike individual modems that connect to standard analog lines.
Current U.S. Robotics MP I-modem and NETServer I-modem customers who bought their
products before October 1, 1996, need only receive a Flash-ROM upgrade to get x2. The software
download can be purchased for $495 for an 8-port product; $990 for a 16-port product (roughly
$62 per port). Free software upgrades are available for customers who purchased I-modem
products after October 1, 1996. Instructions and information on obtaining the software download
are available at the U.S. Robotics Web site (www.usr.com). x2 is now available at no incremental
charge with any NETServer or MP product that is purchased going forward.
About NETServer I-modem and MP I-modem
The NETServer I-modems are 8- or 16-port remote access servers which incorporate ISDN and
analog connectivity in one enclosed unit. Each NETServer enables users to easily connect
LAN-based sites to the Internet and/or corporate networks. No external devices are needed
because the integrated circuit termination functionality (NT-1) provides everything needed to
connect to an already installed BRI line.
The U.S. Robotics MP I-modems are 8- or 16-port modem pools that can front-end an existing
remote access server or be used as a standalone unit. Operating in a server mode, each I-modem
modem pool with x2 can deliver data at rates of twice those achievable with standard V.34 analog
modems. |
